Cut stump treatment:
This method can be used on any invasive species with a woody stem including trees, shrubs and vines. The stem is cut close to the ground and then the cut surface is treated with a herbicide to prevent resprouting from the root system. This method is effective on honeysuckle, buckthorn, ailanthus, autumn olive, oriental bittersweet, multi-flora rose, grape vine, privet, barberry and burning bush for just a fewa few examples.
The most efficient tool for cutting stems is a forest clearing saw (FCS). The FCS is extremely efficient for cutting multiple stems, numerous small stems and stems between 1 to 5” in diameter. Most stems take only a second or two to cut and treat. Even larger stems between 6 and 8” can be cut with a FCS. For large stems cut in from the direction you want the stem to fall a couple of inches, then make a back cut from the opposite side to finish the cut. The weight of the tree will cause the stem to lean opening up the back cut and allowing you to finish the cut without pinching the blade. The size of stem is only limited by the diameter of the blade. Efficiency of the FCS is significantly reduced as the blade gets dull. Hand sharpen the blade periodically to maintain a high level of cutting efficiency.
A FCS will cost in the range of $600 to over $1200 for commercial models. Choose the larger more powerful units if you can afford it. It will more than pay for itself in time saved and ease of operation.
A lightweight chain saw can also be used for cutting small to large diameter stems. A chain saw will take 2 to 4 times longer to treat the same number of stems as a FCS.
Most invasive plants readily resprout after cutting so it is critical that the cut surface be treated with a herbicide. Spray just enough material to cover the entire surface of the cut stem.. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Round-up) is the most common and readily available material recommended for cut stem treatments. Glyphoaste should be the only material anyone would need to treat cut stems. A 5% to 20% solution of glyphosate mixed with water is applied to the cut surface, 10% to 15% is the recommended range. The low rate has been used to reduce herbicide use and on easy to control species but some plants may survive, the high rate may be used for really hard to kill species, Read the herbicide label to determine the exact rates to use.
To make a herbicide solution from a concentrate of glyphosate, multiply the number of ounces of solution you want to mix by the percentage of solution to arrive at the amount of concentrate to add to the water, eg. you are mixing a 15% solution using a 32 ounce spray bottle: multiply .15 (15%) x 32 = 4.8 ounces of concentrate. Measure 4.8 ounces of glyphosate concentrate and then add water to make a total of 32 ounces of solution. For a 10% solution multiply .10 (10%) x 32 = 3.2 ounces of concentrate.
A hand held spray bottle is a convenient spray device for applying the herbicide to the cut surface without over spraying. Purchase a spray bottle that is sold with Round-up or another herbicide already premixed and then reuse the same bottle. A spray bottle is light to carry, easy to use and provides a uniform spray pattern for covering the cut surface. You can carry a spray bottle with you while you cut by using a pouch attached to your belt like a gun holster. It is easier to cut and treat as you work instead of retracing your steps to treat afterwards. Add a spray colorant to the bottle so you can tell what stems you have already treated. By cutting and treating at the same time you are less likely to leave stems untreated. A back pack sprayer can also be used but you will most likely use more herbicide than with a spray bottle and the sprayer is much heavier and cumbersome to use.
Cut stump treatments can be used from late spring through the fall and winter until late winter without any reduction of control. When applying herbicide during below freezing temperatures, dilute the herbicide with windshield washer fluid, instead of plain water, to prevent freezing.
Basal bark sprays:
A basal bark spray uses an application of an oil soluble herbicide mixed with a low viscosity oil to the basal area of a woody plant. The oil enables the herbicide to be absorbed through the bark of the plant and into the cambium layer.
Spray the lower stem or trunk of a plant from ground level to approximately 12 to 16” high. Thoroughly cover all bark surfaces but not to the point of runoff.
Mix a 20% solution of triclopyr with Bark oil blue. Apply the mixture using a spray bottle or backpack sprayer. Basal bark sprays are extremely fast and effective, much faster than using a chain saw or forest clearing saw. Each plant takes just a few seconds to treat. The down side to using basal bark treatments compared to a cut stem treatment is that more herbicide and oil is used. The additional material used increases the costs of treatment.
Chemicals used:
Garlon-4 Ultra EPA Reg. No. 627 19-527 (active ingredient, triclopyr)
Garlon-4 EPA Reg. No. 627 19-40 (active ingredient, triclopyr)
Bark Oil Blue is manufactured by UAP Distribution, Inc. 7251 West 4th St. Greeley, CO 80634
The material can be purchased from Crop Production Services an agricultural chemical supplier.
The active ingredient is
ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBON OIL – 100%
Liquid spray colorant comes in 1 gallon container. May be purchased from nursery and agricultural suppliers.
SIGNAL™ SPRAY PATTERN INDICATOR